UPPER ARLINGTON Christmas Construction

Holiday Happiness features new gingerbread house competition

A new tradition is being introduced at the Upper Arlington Public Library’s 41st annual Holiday Happiness event. Adults and children of all ages will have the chance to create their own gingerbread or graham cracker houses.

Holiday Happiness, which is scheduled from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 1, is a completely free winter celebration open to the community, says Christine Minx, library communications specialist.

“It’s a lot of fun and one of the few really free family holiday programs around,” Minx says. “It’s kind of traditional fun with hands-on crafts and traditional music.”

The event draws close to 3,000 people each year. Returning attendees may notice the lack of a model train this year. The family that provided it decided to retire, Minx says, and the graham cracker and gingerbread house competitions are taking the place of the model train.

The graham cracker house competition for children ages 9-12 will be held at 7 p.m. Nov. 28. Children will have one hour to build their house out of graham crackers, frosting and candies. The finished houses will be displayed in the Youth Department and will be judged during Holiday Happiness. Registration is required for this event.

Entrants into the gingerbread house competition must build with actual gingerbread and can enter into one of two categories: “house” or “other.”

“They can just let their imaginations run wild there (with) a wreath or some other non-house structure,” Minx says.

By Lisa Aurand

Participants can work together as families, or adults may work alone. Each must provide his or her own building materials, including a sturdy base no larger than 18”x18”, and all items used must be edible, with the exception of the base. Entrants must register by 5 p.m. Nov. 25 and bring their creations to the library between noon and 5:30 p.m. Nov. 30.

Returning this year is the Avenue of Trees, featuring holiday trees decorated by local nonprofits. Patrons will again vote on their favorite, which will receive a blue “Patron’s Choice Award” ribbon.

And for the second year, the library will be hosting a Giving Tree in support of the Franklin County Children’s Services Holiday Wish Program. Each of the tree’s paper ornaments represents a commitment by a patron to purchase the gift listed and donate it to a child in need. “We did that for the first time last year and it was a very big success,” Minx says.

Other fun events include the Upper Arlington Community Choir at 10:30 a.m., guitarist Mark Reinhart at 11:30 a.m., Santa and Mrs. Claus from noon2 p.m., and performers from Vaughan Music Studios at 1 p.m.

Lisa Aurand is editor of TriVillage Magazine. Feedback welcome at laurand@city scenemediagroup.com.